Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 7/22/2006

Question
I adopted a pair of tiels a week ago. The previous owner said the female has laid eggs in the past, (that have not hatched). A couple days ago I noticed the female sitting in/over the food bowl. Is this a sign of nesting? Is there anything I can look for as far as signs that the male is courting the female?  Thanks for any help.

Answer
Hi, Jen.  Thanks for posting.

Sitting in/over a food bowl isn't necessarily a sign of nesting.  Parrots do this regularly.  The fact that you just adopted these birds a week ago, I'm wondering if they are still trying to adapt to their new surroundings in your home and get used to you.  Depending on the individual birds, this acclimation behavior can last a week, a month, several months, etc.  Moving to a new place can be very stressful for parrots.    

If this pair have laid eggs in the past, they must already be pair-bonded, which is required before a pair of birds will mate and go to nest.  Therefore, "courting behavior" won't occur (they are already a pair).  If they want to go to nest, they will mate.  However, most parrots won't mate/go to nest without a nesting box in place, although lots of birds will lay eggs in the bottom of their cage if no nesting box is available and they "can't wait."

Do not put up a nesting box unless you want your tiels to mate and lay eggs.  Think this through carefully, as a lot is involved and you need to learn a lot before this occurs.  Visit my website for information regarding this:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Come back with any questions.

Chrys